With lyrics born from hard work and heartache, Waylon Wyatt is finding family in fans from Hackett to Hackney. At just 18, the Arkansas native is shaking up the scene with raw lyrics, southern charm, and a global fanbase behind him.
Still fresh out of high school,, Waylon Wyatt has already lived a story most country artists spend a lifetime trying to tell. Raised in a tiny town in southern Arkansas – with a population barely pushing 800 – Wyatt is a fresh voice in the genre who blends old-school storytelling with Gen Z relatability. His down-home charm, gritty work ethic, and soul-stirring songs have earned comparisons to Tyler Childers and Zach Bryan – and now, he’s winning over audiences far from home, including an enthusiastic crowd across the pond in the UK.
“I just graduated high school not too long ago,” Wyatt says with a laugh, Arkansas drawl still thick in the air. “Being able to cross that big pond for once, it’s… I mean, a lot of people would kill to have the position I’m in. I do not take it lightly whatsoever.”
From Construction Boots to Chart Buzz
Wyatt’s journey into music wasn’t polished or planned—it was raw, and it was real. His first recorded song, Everything Under the Sun, was filmed after a long day working construction with his dad. Dust-covered and still in his work gear, he posted it online expecting ridicule. Instead, he found an audience.
“I thought I’d get roasted,” he remembers. “Instead, people showed me love. A couple of record labels even reached out. One of them spotted the construction company’s number on my hat and called the office.”
Within days, he was on a Zoom call. Soon after, he was on a plane to L.A.
A Voice That Speaks to a Generation
While his look might be youthful, Wyatt’s lyrics carry weight. Whether he’s singing about heartbreak or small-town dreams, every song feels personal – because in many ways, it is.
“I’m kind of 50/50,” he explains about his songwriting process. “Some things I relate to, but I don’t go into absolute detail. I want it in words where other people can relate without feeling left out.”
That relatability is key to Wyatt’s growing success, especially with young fans who are fuelling a country revival online. TikTok played a major role in launching his career, and he doesn’t take that lightly.
“Without them listening to my music, showing up at the shows, I wouldn’t be here. One of my favourite things is when fans come up to me and tell me their own stories and how they relate to the music. It’s just a beautiful thing.”
Big Dreams, Small Town Roots
Though he’s racking up views and fans far from home, Wyatt remains firmly grounded. He credits his upbringing for that.
“I grew up in my dad’s construction company. That’s hard labour right there,” he says. “Not trying to say I’m lazy or anything, but if I can avoid it, I will! My community, though, they’ve always been encouraging from the get-go. No matter what dream I’ve had.”
He proudly reps his hometown of Hackett, Arkansas – “about as redneck as it gets,” he jokes. “Sounds like someone had a chaw in their mouth when they named it – ‘Hack-it.’ But I love my hometown and I’m proud that’s where I was raised.”
Touring, TikTok and Beans on Toast
Now on his first international tour, Wyatt is soaking in every moment of UK life – including some surprising favourites.
“Everybody told me the food here would be bland and not seasoned. But the fish and chips – banger!” he grins. “I had beans on toast with an English breakfast for the first time. I absolutely do not like beans, but I ate beans on toast, and it was killer, dude.”
He’s also spent time biking through towns and soaking up the UK countryside. “That’s the best way of touring this place. Just driving around on the bike and getting to see all the beautiful sights.”
Mentors, Influences, and Modern Country Kin
Like many of his heroes, Wyatt blends classic country influence with modern flair. Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Sr. were early staples in his household, but it’s artists like Tyler Childers and Wyatt Flores that inspire him today.
Waylon lights up when talking about fellow rising artists – especially those he’s followed since before his own breakout. “Wyatt Flores is a great guy. I’ve been listening to him since the very beginning,” he says. “He’s a big shot now, but still so down to earth – just a real hometown guy.” His admiration is personal, too: “His concert at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa was the first one I ever went to. And then a couple months later, I actually got to meet him. Younger me would’ve been sh*tting his britches,” he laughs. “Now I’ve got his number in my phone. We’re homies. It’s insane.”
He’s also quick to champion other young songwriters helping shape the future of country music. “Bayker Blankenship and Hudson Westbrook – they’re both incredible writers and performers,” Wyatt says. “But Ty Myers, man – he’s only 17, and he sings about heartbreak like a 40-year-old dad going through a divorce. It’s wild. These kids are writing songs with so much soul, it blows my mind.”
Staying Grounded on the Road
Despite the growing crowds and streaming stats, Wyatt still brings a piece of home with him – literally.
“My beaters – my old work boots. I’ve had them for years. They got paint on them, they’re sun-bleached. They’re my pride and joy,” he says. “And my ball caps. I got 80 to 90 back home. I bring, like, 12 on tour. Probably shouldn’t,” he adds, laughing. “We could fit a lot more gear in the van if I didn’t.”
What’s Next?
Waylon Wyatt is just getting started—but he already understands the power of storytelling and staying true to who you are. When asked why so many young listeners are reconnecting with country music, Wyatt keeps it simple: “Just relatable experiences,” he says. “People love hearing songs they can see themselves in – it just hits a lot harder that way.”
To fans old and new, especially those in the UK, he has a heartfelt message:
“Thank you so much for coming out and showing up. It’s absolutely insane that y’all knew me before I knew you. And if you’ve got dreams going on and not much support? Don’t give up on it. I’m a young’un, and I’m making it – so keep trying. You’ll get there for sure.”
With his debut EP lighting up streaming platforms and a UK fanbase growing by the day, it’s safe to say Waylon Wyatt isn’t just passing through – he’s here to stay. And country music is all the better for it.
Waylon Wyatt’s debut EP is available now on all major platforms. Catch him on tour this summer in the UK and beyond.
